76ers 'prepared' to start season with Ben Simmons
While there still are several suitors for Ben Simmons, it appears the Philadelphia 76ers do not expect to move him anytime soon.
According to Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports, trade talks involving Simmons have stalled, and the Sixers are prepared to have him on the roster to begin the 2021-22 season.
The Sixers reportedly have been shopping Simmons throughout the summer, and the All-Star guard has gone silent in recent weeks, reportedly refusing to have the team oversee his offseason training while also cutting off contact with Philly's front office.
Trade rumors surrounding Simmons began after the Sixers were eliminated from the postseason. The former first overall pick had a hideous playoff run and even took some blame for the Sixers' second-round playoff exit, saying, "There's a lot of things that I need to work on."
Philly's price for the 25-year-old is reportedly an "All-Star-caliber player" and first-round picks. Many teams are unwilling to pay that price for a player who has struggled offensively in his first four seasons.
Simmons is under contract through the 2024-25 campaign after signing a five-year deal worth $177.2 million in July 2019. With tensions appearing to rise between the guard and the franchise, Philly might need to drop its asking price to move him.
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